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Fighting burnout - 10/11/2008 6:42:15 PM
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Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 6044
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This is a topic near and dear to my heart, and we were just discussing this in another thread. I didn't want to take things too off-topic, so I'm putting it here instead.
As singles, many of us have very busy lives... some of us are in school, some have responsibilities with nieces, nephews, and other family members, some have more than one job and/or ministry responsibilities, and many of us are single parents. How do we do it all without burning out?
Here's a few things I've learned: take little "mental" breaks, like coming on CW in the middle of the day  , talk to a friend, get some fresh air, change your routine a bit (eating breakfast for dinner maybe?) and do those things that make you feel good. For me, that means keeping a clean house and having things in order. I don't really rest until my notes are caught up, my checkbook is balanced, and all the clutter picked up.
What are some things you do, or what would you like to do?
_____________________________
<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/11/2008 7:16:50 PM
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Prairiehiker
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I find that when things are going well in my relationship world, I don't burn out at all. Bring 'em on...I can take them. I can face everything with joy and enthusiasm....work, school, kid, home, pet, friends, family, church, hobbies, etc. As long as my emotional state is good, I don't burn out. But when I'm having difficulties with an important relationship, then everything is affected, and I find that I don't' have much energy for anything. Then, I operate under the "survival" mode. I do things like a zombie, with a "to do" list in front of me, and I just tackle what needs to be done. Everything else I put aside so I can make time for some escape. Usually, it's running, or being outdoors, or reading a book, or browsing in some bookstore. I stay away from most people because I'm such a grump when I'm burnt out. Oh....and I go for a pedicure or shop for underwear, lol. That's one of my thing....so when you see my toes really pretty, you know I'm burnt out, lol.
_____________________________
Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/11/2008 7:22:24 PM
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rgod
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Good thread! I increase my time with God in prayer and decrease my time doing things that I do not like to do. I start walking and exercising more, watch what I eat, and get organized (that helps me to feel a LOT better). I cancel things on my schedule that I don't need to do. I stay away from all people who drain me - cancel engagements with them if need be, don't talk to them on the phone. I get around people and things that energize me. And I write a lot. It helps me to have perspective.
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/12/2008 12:09:18 AM
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ladioffaith
Posts: 3096
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: NE Ohio (L.A. . . Lower Akron)
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This week ... I'm visiting a new church ... I seriously need to be refreshed ... and I've been struggling with a bad attitude when I am at my current church, which is not a good sign.
Worship helps too ...
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with
his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/12/2008 12:24:28 AM
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rgod
Posts: 1773
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ladioffaith
This week ... I'm visiting a new church ... I seriously need to be refreshed ... and I've been struggling with a bad attitude when I am at my current church, which is not a good sign.
Worship helps too ...
I'm sorry that you are burned out at your current church. Going somewhere else for a visit can really help. I hope that the suggestions in this thread will be helpful to you.
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/12/2008 5:40:16 AM
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Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 6044
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ladioffaith
This week ... I'm visiting a new church ... I seriously need to be refreshed ... and I've been struggling with a bad attitude when I am at my current church, which is not a good sign.
Worship helps too ...
Di, I'm in need of refreshing at my current church, too, and I understand that bad attitude at church. I've had that for the past few months and I don't like it at all.
_____________________________
<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/12/2008 5:55:26 AM
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Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 6044
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quote:
ORIGINAL: violinist_for_jesus
I will be burnt out in a short while at the rate that I am going...but I need to do everything that I am doing...so what can I change? I am running on fumes, lol.
I need some suggestions please! 
Some things I forgot to mention in my OP:
1. Get as much sleep as your body needs. If you can take a Sunday afternoon nap, take it, don't fight it.
2. Eat healthy, nutritious meals. Nothing will cause burn-out faster than a diet loaded with lots of refined carbs. Grab something healthy instead, and don't forget to eat lots of "live" food, like salads, fresh veggies, fruits, etc. Cooking kills the enzymes that are good for you.
3. Exercise. Your body needs to move every day. Take a walk/run, swim, play tennis, dance... just move.
4. Do something fun or relaxing every day.
5. Breathe deeply.
6. Laugh a lot. Find the humor in all situations. Those good belly-laughs are the best.
7. Set realistic expectations. You can't be superman or superwoman and do it all. Do what you can and keep a list. Prioritize the list, but don't just do the biggest or hardest jobs... give yourself a break and do some easy stuff, too.
8. Prayer. This should be #1 because we cannot do everything on our own; there are things that only God can do and we as Christians have the privilege of laying our requests at his feet and leaving them there. God wants us to take care of ourselves; our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are the only ones who can provide Temple maintenance.
_____________________________
<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/12/2008 11:28:30 AM
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Prairiehiker
Posts: 3262
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quote:
Di, I'm in need of refreshing at my current church, too, and I understand that bad attitude at church. I've had that for the past few months and I don't like it at
I'm trying a different chuch today....because our church is so far away and I don't have the time to drive down there today, since I'm studying. And I'm craving a more closer walk with other Christians. Our church is so huge that it's very hard to meet people because they just come in and out without really trying to make any connections. I admit, I've been like that too for the past few years. I think the Lord has been nudging me to start that small group that I've been praying about, and now that my exam will be over in a few days, I think I'll give it some serious thoughts and prayers.
_____________________________
Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/12/2008 2:24:45 PM
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baldman24
Posts: 23
Joined: 4/17/2005
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Thanks for the new thread! I think many of us would appreciate any and all suggestions.
I really think that I need a "spiritual retreat" of some sort at this point in my life. Things have been a little rough for me lately. I've been giving a lot of free time to my church and to ministry, and there are a lot of people who ask me to do stuff for them. There are times I find myself "shutting down" because I can't handle all the requests, and I feel like I'm being taken for granted. Outside of my own family, there aren't many people I can currently discuss these things with -- it seems like everyone else is too busy, too difficult to get in touch with, etc. Besides, I don't want to engage in a "pity party" with other people 
I'm not sure how many of you feel this way, but it just seems like my "old ways" of doing things just aren't working anymore. And I don't know if God wants me to do something radically different with my life -- I almost wish I could just move to a new locality and start all over again!
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RE: Fighting burnout - 10/14/2008 7:02:11 AM
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Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 6044
Joined: 5/2/2005
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I wish I had some great answers for you, but sometimes I get into the same spot as you. It's easy to let ourselves get so involved in ministry that we don't allow sufficient time to ourselves. You have to carve some time out for yourself to rest and rejuvenate. We all need varying amounts of down-time to recharge. For myself, there are times where I can't make it stop and I keep going and going, even to the point of skipping lunch, working 10-12 hour days, getting up early, and staying up late. Some people can do this... I can't. One thing that helps for me is to just step outside for five minutes to be alone, especially when I get all worked up. Breathe in the fresh air for a while, then get back to work. Another thing I do is take a trip to the beach on occasion. For me, that's a 2-hour drive, but I'm so relaxed after a long walk, and it lets me just "let go" of all the things that are weighing on my heart.
_____________________________
<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
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"There are no accidents in the life of faith. In its music, the accidentals perfect the harmony." 
